A significant milestone was reached for the community of Kilcloon on the morning of Tuesday, 2 June 2026, as the official sod turning ceremony took place for the new Kilcloon Community Centre. The event was attended by An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Wayne Harding, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe, elected members from the Ratoath Municipal District, and representatives from local community groups.
The development, which is expected to cost approximately €2.8 million will deliver a modern, multi-purpose facility at the heart of the community, incorporating, a large community hall, meeting rooms, dedicated youth space and essential amenities. The new centre will provide a central hub for community groups, schools and organisations, supporting a wide range of activities, events and initiatives.
Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe, An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Wayne Harding, Minister Dara Calleary, Willie Rattigan from the Kilcloon Community Centre Committee.
Speaking at the sod turning, An Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Wayne Harding, said: “Today’s sod turning marks an exciting and positive step forward for the people of Kilcloon. This new Community Centre will be a cornerstone for local life — a place where people of all ages can come together to connect, learn, and celebrate. It reflects the strong community spirit in Kilcloon and the value of partnership between local residents, elected members and Meath County Council. I look forward to seeing this fantastic facility take shape and serve the community for many years to come.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD said: “I am delighted to be here with you today to turn the sod on this fabulous project here in Kilcloon, Co Meath. This will be a state-of-the-art community space which, I know, will support the needs of many organisations and people in the area.
“I am pleased to see that funding of over €2 million was provided by my Department through the Community Centre Investment Fund towards the construction of this facility here in Kilcloon and it is fair to say that this will be money well spent.”
Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe, added: “This is a very important milestone for the community of Kilcloon. This new facility will provide a modern, inclusive space that will support community life for many years to come. Meath County Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Minister Calleary and the local community to deliver a centre that will meet the needs of current and future generations.
Once complete, the Kilcloon Community Centre will serve as a vibrant and inclusive space for recreation, social engagement and community life, supporting the needs of the area for generations to come. Construction will continue to progress in the coming months, with the centre expected to be completed by the middle of 2027.
